The Honkers created a Casino night based on the games the Elks already have.

"Originally we were going to hire a company to come in but that was really expensive," Burton said. "We decided they have all this here, so what an opportunity to use their facility and tables they already have."

She said the Elks Lodge is a great place to hang out.

"They are very good to help the community out," she said.

The Honkers approached the Elks.

"We have meetings out here every so often and we decided this would be perfect," she said.

Casino Night is a change from their usual programming.

"We're hoping to have a big success," she said.

Burton said the group wanted to come up with a different idea for a fundraiser and decided on Casino Night.

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"We just got to the point where we are doing the same thing all the time," she said. "We wanted to stir it up, get a different group of people and do some different things."

Games included during the evening were Craps, Roulette, Poker, Texas Hold Em and Blackjack.

She said the event was organized by the six Honkers with the help of the Elks.

"The Elks have been wonderful to help set up and are here to help run tables and they are doing the concessions also," she said.

"We're going to take her to the State Fair this year," she said. "She's probably going to be wrapped in bandages because she is going to undergo her restoration so we are going to have her wrapped in colorful bandages so people know she is undergoing cosmetic surgery."

Brenda Wilson said they had some TV's they bought for good prices.

"We decided we would throw in a recliner just because they fit together," she said.

She is always happy to support the Honkers.

"You have to support your local organizations," she said.

Wilson said the size of the Elks Lodge made it an easy choice.

"We've had all our meetings out here for this event," she said.

Ginger Coberley said she will do whatever is needed.

"I'll just go where they need me tonight," she said.

Lisa Carder said the Chamber is helping the Honkers.

"I'm not very good at gambling," she said. "I am going to lose money."

Ginger said the Honkers are a subcommittee of the Chamber.

"They are our welcoming committee and if there are any businesses out there that would like to be honked please give the Chamber a call so we can take care of that," she said.

Coberley said the Honkers are fun.

"We love welcoming new people to town," she said. "Lamar is a great community to live in."

Jay Brooke played blackjack, but doesn't have a whole lot of experience.

"I can count to 21," he said. "Feathers is a big promoter and I thought I would come and help support the chamber."

Oscar Riley was in charge of the concession and was selling hot dogs, polish dogs, pretzels and soda.

"It's the same price we charge at Bingo," he said. "I hope they make money for the goose. That's the object."

Jared Crabtree was in charge of the security.

"I'm going to make sure that nobody goes in or out with drinks," he said.

He thinks events like Casino night is the best way to let the community know that the Elks are out there.

"We do fundraisers with other organizations," he said.

Elks Exalted Ruler Kirk Stegman said he was both winning and losing.

"You've got to lose to win," he said.

He plans on taking part throughout the evening.

"We'll probably play every game in the house," he said.

Bob Delancey ran the roulette wheel but wasn't sure how that happened.

"I thought I would be doing it by myself but I'm going to need Russ to help me do the payouts," he said.

The payouts were broken into fractions in most cases.

"It's crazy," Delancey said. "He (Russ) is the calculator."

They honkers asked KVAY if they can help with the prizes.

"I said sure, I'll throw in a surround sound system," he said.

At the end of the night, he said once everything gets shut down whoever has the most chips gets first prize, second gets second prize and third gets third prize.

"We try to keep things simple," he said.

Bob said the new building is awesome.

"We're not quite 100 percent yet," he said. "We're still waiting on some electrical and people are still working in the dark. Hopefully in the next couple of week we'll be at a full 100 percent. We'll have a couple of open houses have everybody come take a look and I think we'll have the nicest studios between here and Denver."

Russ Baldwin from the Prowers Journal wanted to help out.

"I've been a Honker in the past and on the Chamber board," he said. "This is obviously to try and give Feathers a face-over and a percentage of the proceeds is going to go to the VanCampens."

His favorite activity as a Honker was going to Pueblo for the State Fair parade.

"The Honkers are going up this year," he said. "It's a two and a half hour parade."

He said people look at Feathers and recognize it.

"Hey Lamar happy to have you again this year," he said. "It has some recognition as far as representation of Lamar."

Feathers is now competing with Quackers.

"Come Oktoberfest there might be a challenge to who has the fastest fowl in town," he said.

Crissy Stegman was hoping to win the grand prize.

"If I get the recliner I might get a new couch," she said. "It won't match my couch."

Cole Schwarte was having a good time but he losing.

"I want to support the community," he said. "It's always a good time."

Dave Schwarte from Irwin Iowa hit a blackjack at his table.

"I came to visit Cole and he talked me into coming here and having a good time," he said. "I'll take the TV home. That would be alright."

Dealer Larry "Frog" Coberley said the house was winning at his table.

"I wanted to help out with the community," he said.

Rick Allen said he was winning more than losing.

"The Honkers are winning," he said. "They shanghaied me out of the club room, but I am happy to help out."

People who want to donate to the Feathers restoration project or to the Van Campen family should contact Burton at 719-688-4196.

The group is also looking for new Honkers.

"We would love to have new people and new faces," she said. "I have a lot of people who are Honkers/Chamber so it's really hard when you do parades because there are two directions to go, so we'd love to have some new Honkers join the group."

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